LONG BEACH — A vigil in support of broadening the immigration reform legislation before Congress will be held Friday at Bluff Park at the corner of Redondo Avenue.

The event, from 6 to 9 p.m., is being presented by the Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization. Organizers say the vigil is intended to advocate for a bill that does more to promote family reunification and ease the immigration process.

According to organizers, the legislation as proposed allows family members to reunite in exchange for work visas, but does not allow U.S. citizens to sponsor visas for parents, adult children or siblings.

Organizers are “asking for legislation that protects family visas, shortens the time frame of the proposed path to citizenship and eliminates unreasonable obstacles to citizenship, including high fees and fines and unrealistic income and employment requirements.”

At the Friday vigil, families attending are encouraged to bring pictures, flowers and stories of loved ones separated from them by immigration status. Leaders of local congregations will lead prayers and discuss immigration policy and their support for changes to the current proposal.